Medieval Origins (10th–13th Centuries)

Founding:

The village emerged as a "circulade"—a fortified settlement with concentric streets—around a 12th-century castle chapel built by the Bishops of Agde in 1199. Its strategic hilltop location offered defense and control over the surrounding vineyards and garrigue

Name Legend:

Local lore claims the name derives from a feudal lord devoured by his own dogs. As he died, he cried "Mauvais chiens!" ("Wicked dogs!"), later shortened to Mauchiens. The village crest still features two dogs

Economic Hub:

By the 13th century, it thrived under the Lords of Montpellier, with wine production and trade along the Hérault River, where the Moulin de Roquemengarde mill operated.

Locals joke that the dogs were actually overzealous guard dogs—today’s stray village mutts are treated with extra snacks, just in case

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